$11,482

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Mazu, the goddess of the sea, is one of the most widely worshipped Asian deities. One can find temples dedicated to Mazu in China and all over the world. She is said to protect all seafaring voyagers and quell dangerous storms. More detailed information about Mazu can be found here: http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/chinese-goddess-mazu.htm

WHO ARE WE?

We are artists, welders, pyrotechnicians, dreamers, laborers, entrepreneurs, sculptors, craftsmen, workaholics and visionaries. Our team includes the most skilled hands and minds from all over the world - New Zealanders, Canadians, Australians, Balinese, and Americans - making this project a truly global effort.

Burning Man is one of the largest interactive arts festivals on planet earth! Our goal is to bring the goddess Mazu, her temple, and her parade to the playa. After all - the playa on which the Burning Man festival is held is an ancient sea bed - hence, “MAZU - Goddess of the Empty Sea”! The merging of past and present, old rites and new technologies, ancient culture with modern day is our gift to the Burning Man community. Our project is not only a sight to see, but also features interactive components such as a huge procession and aims to engage the festival attendees.

People who may have never stepped into an Asian temple or have never heard of Mazu can have an interactive and in-depth insight into Asian culture. We are creating a convergence, one that blends the arts of East and West, so that we can better understand our fellow human beings. No matter how far away the land of our birth, we are making common ground here.

The central column of the lotus is also complete.
We are still busy constructing the 24 petals of the large central lotus “crown”. This is no dainty flower - each petal measures 12 feet by 5 feet and weigh 250 pounds each!
Our fire-breathing dragons guarding the perimeter of the temple structure still have a long way to go. The eight of these steel beauties cost nearly $2,500 each in build materials alone! Not to mention, pyrotechnic dragons are very thirsty creatures who must be given tons of propane throughout the week. Please help us keep our dragons well fed and happy!

Dragons in progress

One down, seven more to go!

Costumed demons will join our jubilant procession.

There is still so much work to do and so little time, and our resources are running out. We need the support of the community to complete this project!

FEED ME

Can’t afford to send a donation? Please share this link with your friends and family! Spread the word on social media! Help us get the word out! We don’t have much time before MAZU burns, and the more people who share this page, the more likely we are to reach our goal.

Any donors interested in kindly sending a greater donation than what we have offered here, please contact mazutheresa@gmail.com directly and we can discuss an appropriate reward for your generous offer.

Risks and challenges

With a project this size, there are always risks and challenges. Some of them have seemed insurmountable, but we've pulled through each one so far, and I have unshakable faith in the ability of our team and our community to meet any that arise.

Currently, the biggest challenge we face is a bottleneck in the availability of welding machines to fabricate the dragons. We hope that this fundraiser will allow us to buy the machines and materials we need to finish the dragons on time and to the level of detail that we want to achieve.

After the event, there are many of the crew that will need to head back to their home country, or move on to other work in order to pay the bills that have piled up as we devote our lives to this project. There is a lot of work to be done after the project leaves playa, the invisible, behind-the-scenes work of storage and permits and transportation, and having the buffer of a successful kickstarter will make all the difference in being able to do this without having to sell a kidney to make it happen.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

Bandana

Limited edition run of MAZU-print bandanas. The print is custom designed and handcrafted by one of our graphic artists in house. All the Mazu team will be repping this awesome accessory, and you can too! Great for keeping the playa dust out of your face or just for some decorative flair.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $30 or more
About $30

Dedication of Alcove Candle

Your name or the name of a loved one will appear in the center of Mazu’s temple at Burning Man 2015 under a candle. This happens in Mazu temples everywhere as a way to remember and gain blessings from the goddess.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

Poem Print

8x10 artfully designed print of a small poem about Mazu. These poems are featured as part of the on-playa interactivity at the Temple, and have been written out as the answers that Mazu gives to the prayers and questions of the participants. Written and designed by one of our artists in house. Great for framing and hanging anywhere you need some inspiration or guidance!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

Mazu Concept Drawing - Fine Art Print

Your choice of images in a backer-exclusive limited edition 20x30 print- photographed, numbered and signed by our in-house photographer. These incredible high quality prints will NEVER be available for sale outside this fundraiser. Choose one of three selected art photos of Mazu at Burning Man 2015. Options include daytime, nighttime, and during the burning of Mazu. Only 5 of each available.